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From The Front Porch of Shannon Smith
Artist

Join me as I sit down with local artist Shannon Smith and have a lil' chat...

So how did you get started painting? I was born and raised into a family of artists. My Mom, my twin sister, and I are all oil painters and my triplet brother is a photographer.

How has growing up in a family of artists shaped you as an artist? Life as a triplet and an artist have made to be a fun and interesting one! How unique to be able to share a close sibling bond as well as all sharing the same artistic talents. My Mom was a full time mother of three, but she started painting once we got out of the house and started going to school. I was exposed to art at a young age through her works, attending art shows, and our family travels almost always included visits to art museums. I have fond memories of dabbling in watercolors in Mom's studio.
1979, Age 7

So did you always know that you wanted to be an artist? Wanted to be an artist, yes. I always had a love of drawing and painting and grew up wishing to be an artist like my mom but didn't believe I could do it professionally. So I did not become serious about painting until college. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Clemson University with my focus on oil painting. After graduating I was unsure about being able to support myself and making a career out of my art. While at Clemson, I broke my leg skiing and had to undergo knee surgery and months of physical therapy. That unfortunate experience sparked my interest in the field of health therapies, mostly physical and occupational therapy. I moved back to Charleston and went back to school for a year to fulfill the health and science prerequisites needed to apply to MUSC's graduate program of Occupational Therapy. However, I was not accepted and although disappointed at the time, I quickly realized it was a blessing in disguise!

Had you ever shown your work before? I had exhibited in Spoleto's outdoor art show in the past with my college art and decided to paint for that year's upcoming festival in May. I painted 25 oils for the show and sold over half! I was thrilled beyond words at my success. It was the boost of confidence that I needed to follow my passion as an artist! I also give tremendous credit to my mom and her artist friends, watching them achieve established roles in the art community, both locally and nationally, truly gave me the courage to follow my passion and follow in their footsteps! I am now a full time professional artist of 15 years, showing in galleries and museums, and have not looked back since that May of 1996!

Where do you show your work? This year we celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of the opening of our family gallery, Smith Killian Fine Art on 9 Queen St downtown Charleston. [Shannon also show's her work at the following galleries: The Well's Gallery at Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, Georgia; Parker Gallery in St. Simons Island, Georgia and the City Art Gallery in Greenville, North Carolina.

Where do you paint? My painting studio is in the upstairs of my home in Mount Pleasant, but I also take my "studio" outside and paint en plein-air when nice weather and great travel opportunities permit.

Shannon in her home studio.

Shannon plein-air painting in the misty rain on Shem Creek.

Also she is a Signature Member of the Plein-Air Painters of the Southeast.

How would you describe your paintings? My subject matter varies between landscape, still life, and figures while all sharing the common theme of dramatic use of light. I consider my style to be somewhat impressionistic and representational, with strong emphasis on color and light.

Here are some examples of her latest work.

"Cortona Light"
40x30 Oil on Linen

"Lowcountry Roots"
36x60 Oil on Linen

"Summer House II"
30x30 Oil on Linen

"The Waiter"
30x40 Oil on Linen

"Pink and Pewter"
16x20 Oil on Linen

Shannon has a wall in her studio she calls her "Travel Wall" where she creates paintings from all the places she travels. In the photo, you can see one of her two Himalayan cats, Ollie (other is Rufus). Ollie likes to sit on the sofa and watch Shannon paint. In fact, sometimes Ollie gets a little too close as he had green paint all over his beautiful white fur! Just one of the hazards of being the cat of an artist I suppose.

Shannon will be teaching a painting workshop along with fellow artist Laurie Meyer in Italy in April of 2012.

Since I am an interior designer, you know I am going to ask you about your home!

Your house is adorable! How long have you lived here? It will be 6 years this Thanksgiving. I bought it during the construction phase so I was able to customize some of the elements to my particular taste. What really drew me to it was the Nantucket cottage feel it had.

What is your favorite spot in your home and why? My back screened in porch without a doubt! I grew up always having a porch where our family shared meals and time together. It is my "happy place" where I unwind and truly relax, whether it be with my morning coffee or evening glass of wine. I just love being outside close to nature... watching the birds at my bird feeders and enjoying the critters that frequent the pond behind my backyard, ie. ducks, herons, egrets, turtles, snakes, and the occasional visiting gator! All while listening to water trickle from my fountain, I also take in the fast changing colors and clouds of evening light which soon become a beautiful night sky of moon and stars. I am also fortunate to have a front porch...now that is where I go to rock in my rockers and be more social with the close-by neighbors!

Name one item in your home that you are most proud of? I am most proud of my art collection...mostly oils and a few etchings and photographs. Of course they are all original pieces! While some are my own works, several pieces were traded with my family and artist friends, and some I have purchased through art galleries. I treasure each and every one for their meaning and inspiration to me and my life as an artist. I am out of wall space...time for a bigger house to continue my art collection!!

What is the first item you bought for your home? Afghan and Turkish hand made rugs from Zinn Rug Gallery. Most of my wall colors and furniture are shades of white and neutrals, therefore the rugs and artwork are a chance for a pop of color.

If you could update one aspect of your home what would it be and why? My light fixtures. When completing this house, I chose things that fit in with the traditional coastal cottage style. I now wish I had meshed more contemporary modern with the current cottage theme. I like the idea of new and modern mixed with antique and cottage...keeps it interesting! I am not at all a fan of "matching" decorating, color wise or furniture wise! I think changing out light fixtures, ie. my pendants over the kitchen bar and chandelier over the breakfast table, would be an easy way to update my home, giving it more of a modern twist without a lot of fuss.

It has been great getting to know you better, thanks for taking the time to sit with me Shannon!

[From The Front Porch Of ___ will become a regular post I will be doing for all of us to get to know local artists, business owners and craftsman in the Charleston area that are in some way "home" related. I hope you enjoy getting to know these folks as much I do!]

Cindy DeAntonio is an abstract painter currently living in Charleston, SC. Her bold strokes and eye for color has attracted the attention of interior designers, bloggers and art collectors. Her work was recently featured in the Coastal Living Magazine Showhouse 2013 on Daniel Island, SC.

She is always seeking inspiration from pattern, design, color and contemporary art. After graduating from the University of South Carolina in Art Studio, she started focusing more on abstract art. Cindy had her first solo show [at Eclectic!!!] the summer of 2013 and since has been creating new pieces. She is constantly trying new mediums and techniques.


Is there anyone you credit with gifting you your artistic ability and/or teaching you your skills? Or did you just pick up a brush one day and get lucky?

My mom is very creative so I feel like I got that from her. I studied Art in College but never focused on painting. I picked up a paint brush a few years ago and started trying to figure out what medium I like and what style I wanted to do. I can't stop now. I love painting with layers of bright colors.

Since it varies for each artist, we want to know what inspires you?

I look everywhere for inspiration. Pinterest is a good sources. Ill see a picture of a room I like and want to paint something that fits within the space. Or I'll see a picture with a great color combo and want to paint with those colors.

Do you hang your own work in your home?

Yes and I move it around all the time. I also love collecting art. I try to buy a piece every year.

Is there a specific artist/work that you covet?

Mallory Page. Her paintings are so soft and feminine.

If you were not an artist, what career do you think you’d have?

Probably graphic design. It was my concentration in school.

Rapid fire…
Favorite city to travel to? San Francisco
Guilty pleasure? Sleeping in.
Favorite restaurant in Charleston? Langdon's. They have the best tuna in town.
Saturday activity: beach, shopping, museum. festival or sofa? beach and festival.

Three words to describe yourself: Creative, planner, music lover

Thanks for participating Cindy, as always, it is fun getting to know y'all better!

Look here for full listing of her artwork.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Cindy's art please stop by Eclectic, call us at 843.388.7002 or email sidney@eclecticcharleston.com. Remember, these will only be available during the month of April and yes we will ship for an additional charge!

Eclectic is a Charleston, South Carolina based full-service boutique interior design firm in specializing in the design of residential projects including entire homes and the styling of individual rooms. We also offer virtual e-design services. Please email sidney@eclecticcharleston.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (just over the bridge from downtown Charleston) selling an array of vintage mid-century pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made creations with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

Last night I attended the second night of Charleston Fashion Week with my press pass for the national blog I write for, Ask Miss A. I was lucky enough to be a part of the interviews with last year's winner, Marysia Dobranska Reeves and Social Primer creator, K. Cooper Ray (both Charleston residents). They were adorable! It was an honor to hear their take on this year's Fashion Week as well as the emerging designers they were there to judge. And I really enjoyed learning more about their new collections and the various projects they are working on. If you want to learn more about K. Cooper Ray, stay tuned as I am going to write a lil' feature on him!

Marysia Dobranska Reeves

There was a pre-party in the Style Lounge where vendors could showcase and sell their merchandise while attendees got their drink on! I really liked the jewelry by Anne Belen. Go check out this Southern gal's creations! I love that this show not only features local merchants and emerging designers from all over the Southeast BUT it also serves as a competition for models and it is an amazing resume builder for hair and make-up staff. There are some seriously creative folks involved in this whole process! Love it!

The emerging designers in last night's show were...

Stephanie Mejia

Mary Labberton

Anjelika Krishna

There was a total Janet Jackson "wardrobe malfunction" with one of her models and I fear that this will be all that is remembered of her work :( I give written props to the model that rocked it and came back out for the finale unphased! She gets my vote as the Model Talent winner!

Cody Sai Adler-McAllister

And here is a list of the Fashion Panel that will crown the title for Best Emerging Designer East out of the 16 Finalists.

The Featured Designer I was lucky enough to see was Lindsey Carter and her collection Troubadour. She is crazy talented! Her collection combines masculine and feminine in an completely effortless way. She claims her garments read "Made in New York with love from the South." I can totally see that!

And this was my favorite piece of the night!

I am by no means a fashion expert so I am not going to discuss or critique any of these designer's work. However, the one thing that I will mention (because it seriously erks me!) is that you have to view a fashion show as a work of art. Each model is a canvas or a sculpture, essentially a walking artform. Are you going to go out a buy one of these outfits, as is, and wear it exactly like the model did. Probably not. But you might see a color combination that inspires you or learn a new way to tie a scarf! So please don't scoff and laugh at the avante guard aspects of the show. Instead view it as art, learn something and you will get much more from it! [If you are reading, this is directed at you, the lady sitting next to me in the sequins jacket.]

So my dad is one of my all time favorite people.

I don't have many early photos of my dad at my house but I came across these so I am going to share...

It sounds trite to say he is patient and he is kind but those are two words that always come to mind when I think of my dad. He has never raised his voice and never yelled (except FOR his children as we were playing sports and then he REALLY yells!) And no matter what situation we got ourselves into as kids (or continually as adults), he would always approach it with such ease, usually adding a joke to calm us down. I could only hope to be half the parent this man is.

Let's ignore the fact that it looks like I just ate a bag of Sour Patch Kids...

Growing up, my dad was always at every sporting event, every dance recital, every art show...if it was important to us, he made a point to be there. He has always put family first and I respect that. No one cares more about family than this man! We will barely be through our Thanksgiving supper and he is already planning Christmas!

Let's ignore the fact that my mom looks like a Stepford Wife! lol
Love you mom, you look gorgeous, just Stepford-y.

Speaking of Christmas, no one loves Christmas more than this man! I think he starts listening to Christmas music in September to gear up for the holiday. Again, I think part of the draw is more time with family. He takes the entire event in-the smells, the sounds, the tastes...I love to see Christmas through his eyes. Growing up, he would "play Santa" by handing out the gifts and he would make it last all day like from 8 am until 5 pm hanging on to every second, not wanting to let go, taking in every memory and capturing it with a photograph or a video or even a tape recorder depending on what decade it was! Of course at the time my brother and I groaned about it but now I couldn't be more thankful.

Let's ignore the fact that I have 90's Brook Shield eyebrows and dyeable shoes on.
Oh, I could go on about the things I want you to ignore but this is not about me...

I included this photo because I know it was a proud moment for my dad, when I was on Homecoming Court in high school, as it was something that him and I could do together (especially at a time when teenagers don't want to spend time with their parents) but what he doesn't know is that it was a proud moment for me also as I was able to show him off.

Let's ignore the fact that this isn't my best side..

I LOVE this photo of my dad!
We were tearing up the dance floor at my cousin's wedding. My dad has such a youthful spirit. Our family always jokes that he has an actual age and a mental age. He will play with my nephews as if he is one of them. When my brother was in college at UGA, he would wear khakis and a tie to the football games and hang out at the fraternity house (also his fraternity) like he was one of the guys. He is blissfully unaware that he doesn't belong which is ironically part of his charm.

If you know my dad, you know that he is a funny man. He cracks everyone up, especially himself which is one of my favorite things about him. He has a silent giggle where he puts his hand over his mouth when something is funny but you aren't really suppose to laugh...like if someone falls or says something inappropriate or does something embarrassing...kinda like a kid does...I love it, it makes me smile.

There is so much more I could say about my dad but I want to end on that note...the silent giggle.

Happy Father's Day, Dad...not sure you will ever see this because you don't have a "Blogging Machine" (his words) at home but I love you very much.

Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

Have you seen the Coastal Living Showhouse on Daniel Island yet? It just opened to the public last week and my friend interior designer Ginger Brewton did a great job! I know she worked her tail off and it showed! Set right on the Wando River, this house is beautiful on the inside and out.

via

The kitchen was one of my favorite rooms in the house. I especially love island/built-in dining table with the marble countertops!

via
I love how light and clean this room is! And these poufs...OMG...these poufs! Dying.

I thought this was a brilliant use of space for storage under the stairs!

The backyard has a lovely outdoor seating area overlooking the Wando River. If only I could have this view from my back porch!

Throughout the house was artwork by the very talented local artist, Cindy DeAntonio.

This month, Cindy DeAntonio, will be having her debut art show at Eclectic! I am so excited to see her fantastic collection of work!

Hope to see you there!

Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.comfor additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

So this is a tad late, but I had to share some pictures that I have from the art show I hosted at Eclectic a few weeks ago. HUGE thanks to everyone that came out and supported the talented Cindy DeAntonio!

via Instagram

via Instagram

Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

I am helping a client with her daughter's room and due to my unnatural obsession with Barbie, I thought it could be cute to incorporate something from the doll icon as art. Well if you want to see some crazyass sh*t, search etsy.com for "Barbie Art"! Holy crap. It will take a while to get some of those images out of my head! But there is also some super cute stuff from the alphabet to wall decals to painted canvases so let me show you some of that instead...

via WowWall

By urbanwalls

By potatopatch

By artandphilanthropy

Not etsy but SO cool!

via formbaby.com

I am obsessed (OBSESSED-whispered like the son on the show Middle) with art lamps especially the swing arm variety and especially in unexpected places like this brilliance...

via Pink Wallpaper

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Domino

House Beautiful

I put one in my powder room over the rustic wood mirror and it is pretty badass. I would take a photo but it is hard to get a good picture in a tiny powder room of a light and a mirror...something I have yet to master. I hope that a nicer camera and photography classes with combat that one day. Until then just picture my powder room being a total badass.

Shades of Light
(Mine is hardwired)

With this mirror...

On top of this grasscloth...

Badass, right?

Today kicks off Charleston Fashion Week.
Not sure if these are boutiques, stylists offices or closets. Regardless, they give me mad inspiration. And as I try to figure out what the ___ to wear to the show, I am painfully reminded that I desperately need a new wardrobe.

[Pause with me while I pout.]

via citified

via whoneedsacloset

via sunnys

[Still pouting.]

And speaking of Charleston Fashion Week, I wanted to give a shout out to my friend, Dee Ruel, who's jewelry will be featured in the show! Dee is crazy talented and unlike many of us who make jewelry as a hobby, she actually studied it at the Hui No' Eau art school on the island of Maui no less! I can see it now...Yeah, dad I want to go study in Hawaii. What, yes, I am serious! In addition to making jewelry, she is also a paper artist! She made me the cutest little calling cards. I wanted something to put in the package when folks make a purchase through Objects and she totally nailed it. Nailed it!

I mean really.

If you need cards, invitations or the like...Dee's your girl. And if you need to bedazzle your arms, ears or neck...Dee's your girl. Local? Check out her shop on Coleman Blvd. in Mt. P (she just celebrated her 3rd anniversary!) and if you are not local, no fear she has a website too!

Deirdre Zahl of Candy Shop Vintage is one of my all time fave places to go for some fun and inspiring vintage jewelry pieces.

Candy Shop Vintage has recently made its debut in NYC at Bloomingdales... do you have any other upcoming events planned?
"I have 4 days of trunk shows coming up at Henri Bendels in New York this September."

How did it feel to see your pieces on the hit show Mad Men?
"It was a dream come true seeing them on TV! I watched and watched and finally saw them on the last episodes of this past season."

So, how did that even come about?
"I met up with Janie Bryant (Mad Men costume designer) at the Charleston Fashion Week and showed her some of my collection. She ended up buying 10 pieces and used 3 for the show!"

Who would you like to see wearing your pieces?
"Beyonce! I actually got one of my girlfriends to wear some earrings I made to one of her concerts in hopes that MAYBE she'll see them!"

What are some goals you have for the future?
"I would love to open a retail store at some point and maybe expand outside of Charleston. But, for now I want to continue to grow here."

Do you have any advice for aspiring jewelry designers?
"It's important to find a style that you love and stick with it. Be consistent with your collection... know who your audience is because not everyone is going to love your style."

Eclectic Interior Design Group is a full-service design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina working on both residential and commercial spaces. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina selling an array of vintage pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

I watched St. Elmo's Fire over the weekend. Man is that one hell (said in a whisper) of a good movie! I'm totally going to incorporate "Aboogaboogabooguhuhuh" into my everyday vocabulary. If you know me or are a faithful reader of my blog you will know how obsessed I am with movies and that one of my dreams was/is to do set design. [If anyone reading knows how I can get involved doing this in Charleston, please let me know. I have tried several avenues and I've not had any success. I will get coffee for the set designer of a movie being filmed here...just want to be involved and learn!] So one of the things I love most about this movie is how the perspective character's apartments' represent the characters so well. Let's take a look, shall we?

Alec and Leslie define the ultimate yuppie couple! They have this huge loft apartment probably in the most up and coming neighborhood of D.C. The Nike poster as art on their wall is a literal nod to their love of status and consumption. As is this shot below which shows them ordering new furniture from big box companies.

As an architect, you can see Leslie's design influences, in the space as well with a mix of modern, traditional and industrial like the glass block wall, oriental rugs and architectural lights.

photo via dipity.com

Jules apartment, with help by her decorator Ron, is totally her...expensive and flashy! Very modern and minimalist with no antiques. The colors are feminine and current to the pastels that were popular at that time in the 80's. Also note the unique pieces like the neon Billy Idol wall art and the repurposed coffee table made of concrete risers that show she has some edge to her personality.

photo via apartment therapy

Kirby and Kevin's apartment definitely represents two bachelors post college! But I'd say it has more of Kevin's influence with the boho color scheme and eclectic mix of decor items including record album's, bongos, and let's not forget the coffin! He is a writer and has a poster of, I'm assuming, his idol Woody Allen over the mantle so right away you know he is a lovelorn romantic.

photos via http://warymeyers.blogspot.com

I couldn't find any images of Wendy's new apartment...but it was traditional, classic and comfortable just like her. I have always loved her quote and thought of it myself when I spent the first night in my house.

"Yea... ya wanna know what's great? Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... and ya know, it was my kitchen, it was my refrigerator, it was my apartment... and it was the BEST peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I have had in my entire life!"

Who is the most interesting person you've ever met?

By far the most interesting person I've ever met is a friend of my ex-boyfriend's. We travelled to the town where he grew up, and Dave's house was a requisite stop. Of course his name wasn't Dave, but it will be for this story.

Dave lived way out in the middle of nowhere, in a dump of a house placed in the midst of fields and trees and woods and ponds and streams. His kitchen bore an incredibly exquisite pattern of blue-and-white linoleum, almost like Persian art, from the 70s. I told him that I wanted to take his linoleum. Though worn in spots, it was glorious.

When we arrived we were greeted by a fierce, barking, stiff-legged Chow dog who glared at us like he would like to take off our heads. Dave's friend Mike, who seemed to be perpetually there, showed off a nasty purple-and-red wound he'd received to the thigh from this dog. We walked a long circle around his chain.

The dog was only the firstfruits of the menagerie. All over Dave's house, all over his yard, chained or cooped or caged or roaming free, were an astonishing number of animals. Groups of semi-feral bunnies hopped and scattered as we approached, disturbing their grazing on the lawn. Another dog and two or three cats permitted us to pet them. Baby quails huddled under a heat lamp in their sawdust-bedded cage. Tom turkeys and guinea hens stalked the grounds. A peacock perched high up in a tree. A long snake curled sleepily in its cage. Overwhelmed, I gave up trying to count the species or number of the hoard. It was like Isaiah’s vision of the peaceable kingdom.

Dave himself was quite the character. Short and grey-bearded, with an almost perfectly round, swelling belly and long, hanging arms, he bore an uncanny resemblance to a gnome. In fact, he cheerfully informed us, that was his nickname. He wandered around shirtless, in only an aging pair of gray sweat-shorts and sneakers. He was undoubtedly the hairiest person I have ever seen. Great rugs of hair covered his shoulders, chest, and arms, blending in with the long gray beard that covered his face and the top of his chest. The beard crept over and obscured most of his face, like untrimmed ivy. He even had a tuft of hair sprouting from the end of his nose. None of this bothered Dave. He was one of the most laid-back characters I have ever encountered.

Dave hospitably welcomed us and offered us beer. Beer, marijuana, and home-made corncob tobacco pipes seemed to be the main occupations of the house. Dave and his friend Mike drank can after can of Budweiser and deposited the empties into a bulging garbage bag in the kitchen. Dave showed us his system of smoking: he rotated through about four or five handmade corncob pipes, smoking one and then laying it on the end of the line, then smoking the one at the other end of the line. In this way he always had a cool pipe to start with.

In a lone conversation with Dave when he took me upstairs to show me something, he earnestly extolled the virtues of marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms. “It’s natural,” he explained. “Plants. Perfectly natural. They’re good for you.”

Despite Dave’s eccentricities, or perhaps entwined with them, he was obviously an intelligent person. He had or once had, I’m not sure which, a good job in the city involving computer engineering or programming. He was something of a lay inventor, describing to us his latest creation. He was generous, open-hearted, warm, accepting, and supremely laid-back, even when referring to his ex-wife, who’d left him for another man. His lone daughter, who with her boyfriend operated a tattoo parlour and who demonstrated their art all over her person, obviously adored him. One couldn’t help but like Dave, once one got over the astonishment of his surroundings, his physical person, and some of his habits. He was truly one of kindest and most intriguing people I’ve ever met.

Entering and leaving Dave’s place felt almost like those stories where children accidentally stumble into a strange, alternate magical world, experience adventures, and come back to the real world. It was a time, space and reality warp, this crazy kingdom populated by dozens of animals and eccentric people, and ruled over by a gentle, hairy gnome who drank beer, smoked pot and homemade corncob pipes.

So that was Dave. Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?

Love these headboards!

Love this painted bed (esp the color)!

Love everything-sunburst mirror, white and green color scheme, symmetry...

Love the simple yet elegant styling!

Love the art arrangement in the molding (or painted molding?)!

Love the mirrored insets on the cabinets!

I had to show this one again because it just makes me so happy! Anyone notice how the mirrors reflected in the coffee table look like eye lashses? Love that!

I don't know where I have been but I recently discovered designer Tobi Fairley's website and I was blown away! According to her biography, she is based in Arkansas but works on projects along the south from Charleston to Los Angeles (how fun!). Once I started searching her portfolio, I recognized many of her projects that I have tagged from shelter magazines. It also says she has been working on several product lines set to debut in 2010. Can't wait! You can follow her career, appearances and projects via her blog, go check it out!

So I've been taunting you with my big news and here it is...I'm opening a shop!!!

[Let's pause a sec for the cheers and applause...maybe even a lil' confetti falling from the sky.]

I think part of my delay in telling you is my shock that it is actually happening! A lifetime dream coming true! It will be called "Eclectic"-part design studio and part home decor shop where I will be selling home furnishings including furniture, lighting, art, accessories and more. The design studio will be very user-friendly so customers will be able to access it themselves. And the retail will be a mix of Eclectic Creations (custom items that I design and/or repurpose as well as items that I collaborate with local artisans to create), Eclectic Finds (things I collect from antique shops, flea markets, etc.) and Eclectic Picks (products that I have hand selected from chosen vendors). I feel that this unique blend of products will be unlike anything currently in the marketplace. And in case you are wondering, yes, I will still have my interior design business!

Eclectic is located at 875 Coleman Blvd next to Royal Hardware (where Belva's Flowers use to be). It is taking longer than expected (as these things always do) but I hope to be open sometime in June.

Here is a before shot...

(You know how I love rough before shots!)

Here is during shot mid up-fit...

I'll show you some after shots when I'm done! Or better yet, stop in and see for yourself! And I promise to keep you updated on the progress. Now you know why I have been so bad about blogging...I've been a lil' busy! :)

So yesterday I gave some hints on selecting a paint color for one room. Today I am going to give some advice when choosing paint colors for an entire home. Try to select a color palette-three colors that you want to use throughout your home. Ideally pick these colors from something that you already have like a rug or the fabric in a pillow. These are colors that you are going to use throughout your home in fabrics, furniture, art, accessories, etc. I am not saying these are the only colors you can use but they should be predominant colors and they should be used, in some way, in each room so that your house has "flow." No, not your monthly visitor. And not Flo the saucy waitress from Alice.

But flow as in having a rhythm so that the colors easily transition from one room to the next. Flow is something that you don't necessarily notice when it is done correctly but you definitely notice when it is not done in a home. Have you ever been in a house where each room is painted an entirely different and totally random color? It is wacky. And it chops up the place. You need some sort of congruity. I am going to use the same fabric from yesterday to illustrate my point.

You can see that some paint colors are repeated in different rooms throughout the home. You will also notice that variations of the color (or different values of the same hue) are used in different rooms to give some interest. This is an easy design trick. Try to remember this instead of using four different colors of blue, use four different values of the same blue hue. I used Sherwin Williams to illustrate this point because their paint decks show the different values of a hue on the paint strip so it makes it super easy. But you can always ask your paint store to add black or white to get a different version of the hue.

Again, this is best case scenario but it gives you an idea of how the process should work. And to continue my point on making the house flow, I would carry some of these colors to other areas of the house. For example, let's say that the inspiration fabric is on pillows in the living room on the first floor. Then you could have orange linen Parson's chairs in your dining room and/or paint the vanity in your powder room the same orange as your mud room and/or use a blue and orange mosaic tile in the master bathroom. So it doesn't always have to be through paint color alone. Get it? Well, that my friend, is what you call FLOW.

While uploading my phone photos to my laptop I thought I would catch you up on what I have been doing, since I have clearly been too busy to post!

Stopped by a new construction project. Check out the reclaimed wood mantle! Delisc.

Kitchen in progress...

Installed some art at a client's office...

Here is a before shot of a new project...

Another project I'm helping out on...obviously in progress.

My new goal is to actually get some AFTER photos I'm proud to show you people!

And here is a lil' taste of my big announcement coming soon!

If you are local, come on out the 2nd Annual Gimme Shelter Event at the Old Naval Yard benefiting Operation Home. It is a fun time for a great cause!

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Assembled an art piece for the office of Jackson Built Custom Homes. I will have better photos when all is completed but my-oh-my they look good already! Custom colored blueprints of their custom built homes...don't mind if I do!

How cute is this? I sketched this out for a client a few years ago...she needed help accessorizing her built-ins at her house on Folly. I am now helping her with her house in the Old Village and she pulled it out to show me! Love that she kept it! She said she used it when trying to accessorize in her new home. ha! Adorable.

While I'm at it, this was the floorplan for their Folly house...really wish I had after pics! It was pretty much white, black and turquoise. Wood floors, garage doors that opened off the porch, turquoise glass tile in the kitchen, zebra rug in the living room (not shown), custom daybeds on the porch. Very cool!

I founds some goodies in my hunting and fishing this week that I think I'm going to have to hold onto! No pun intended here...

And something else orange...

Probably the only Hermes I will ever own. Four empty boxes.

I will be buying this immediately! Hits the streets this fall.

Have a great weekend y'all! Headed to the Homegrown concert...it will be fun but hotter (Hootier-geez) than the solar surface of the sun.

Often an overlooked spot to show your style, but entryways can be a great place for an eye catching vignette. A console table with ottomans tucked underneath can be a smart way to achieve extra seating in a pinch. If you need additional storage, use a dresser instead to keep all of your gift wrapping essentials. Top either your console or dresser with a unique mirror for last minute hair checks as you leave the house or a bold piece of art. Finish it all off with some amazing accessories like a bowl for keys, a basket or bin for your mail and a vase full of fresh flowers. Use these inspiring images for motivation!
~Images: 1) Domino May/June 2008 2) Unknown 3) Courtesy of Matters of Style blog 4) House Beautiful Sept 2009 5) Courtesy of Little Green Notebook blog 6) KWID

After reading the article in Elle Décor on Cameron Diaz's New York City home, designed by one of my all time favs, Kelly Wearstler, it left me feeling like I needed to go put on my favorite gold jewelry and hit the town for a night out with my friends!

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Cameron's wit and personality make her one of my all time favorite actresses, but seeing these gorgeous pictures of her home shows how super chic and cool she is too! Kelly Wearstler clearly pushed her outside the box (as she is best known to do) but the aesthetic is still very true to Cameron's own style. In fact, the design of her NY apartment can be compared to many of her most loved fashion moments. Let's take a look...

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You can tell that Kelly paid attention to every little detail ---something I can totally appreciate! "Drawers are lined in raw black silk, the back sides of doors are clad in hammered metal, and the interiors of closets are covered in custom wallpaper or in vivid paint." If that description alone doesn't make you feel like getting dressed up or going on a lush vacay, then I don't know what will! Oh, and of course I just love her mix of vintage and custom pieces and her jewelry inspiration seen throughout the rooms.

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Last but not least, can we talk about that emerald kitchen?!? I would be perfectly content living in that room for the rest of my life. And one of my favorite parts... the unsealed brass counter tops that not only look killer but they "...show every water ring and squeeze of lemon juice. They give the place soul" says Diaz. Kinda reminds me of those amazing emerald earrings she wore to the 2007 Oscars!

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I could really go on for days about every detail... which part is your favorite?

Eclectic is a Charleston, South Carolina based full-service boutique interior design firm in specializing in the design of residential projects including entire homes and the styling of individual rooms. We also offer virtual e-design services. Please email sidney@eclectic-idg.com for additional information.

Eclectic is a retail shop/design studio located in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (just over the bridge from downtown Charleston, South Carolina) selling an array of vintage mid-century pieces, repurposed items, new products and locally made art with a fresh Modern meets Coastal aesthetic.

Ahh, shoes.

As you may know, in addition to being an interior designer, I am also a closet designer. And every (and I do mean every!) client says "Oh, I have A LOT of shoes!" But what I find funny is that "A LOT" is a relative term. What is A LOT of shoes to you? 20 pair? 200 pair? 2, 000 pair?

There once was an old lady who lived in a shoe...er house...who had so many shoes that she didn't know what to do. So she called me. Seriously, she easily had 2, 000 pairs of shoes covering every square inch of space in her bedroom! Not to mention trash cans full of shoes hidden in her closet. She wanted a place to house her addiction. I, on the other hand, wanted to give her the number of a good therapist.

So after that experience, I find it funny when people with 20 pair of shoes tell me they have "A LOT" of shoes. But whether you have 20 or 2, 000 you must find a way to store them, right? So here goes...

Do you line them up in a row?

Or do you encase them like important artifacts?

Or do you display them like a tabletop vignette?

Or do you have a mini-photoshoot with your footwear and label their boxes by photo?

Or do you just label them?

Or do you have a super creative solution that makes your shoes look like art? Let's face it some of them are! I mean Milano's were not made for walkin'!

Or do you mount them on the wall for easy viewing?

Let's face it, I am not reinventing the wheel here, just showing you some inspiration! But speaking of a wheel, check this crazy-ass thing out...

WTF?

It is like a game show...step right up and spin the wheel to see what shoes you will wear today!